@InaEva
I think you've pretty much proven that ethnicity is really not an important factor here. There is so much mixture in genes of different backgrounds in the population that going by ethnicity will get you nowhere or not too far. The majority of us have a mixture of more than one pure race.....even if you're unaware of it. That's why someone saying they're from ethnicity-A won't help much if someone from ethnicity-B also has that A's properties. Anyway, I was really digging this thread but it's going in the wrong direction. Lets get back on board.

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Originally Posted by kurlygurly

It depends on how you look at it. If everybody here came from a multi-ethnic background, ethnicity wouldn't help on this forum given the fact that nobody really has the exact same mixture. However, if you look at it in a broad point of view, ethnicity has more to do with physical similarities than limiting your options by general hair properties alone. Just because your hair properties are the same on Naturally Curly's scale, doesn't mean your hair is just as similar as someone who has a more similar genetic background as you with the same hair properties.

It's not an unusual phenomenon. People think their hair grade is special or different because of their racial make-up. That attitude had been coined on the boards as Special Snowflake Syndrome. Hair is hair. Properties are properties. Race makes no difference in what your hair needs.

The float test is a very poor indicator of porosity. I can get my hair to float for days, yet my hair is high porosity.

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

Hmmm well maybe I should rethink my whole strategy then! Is there a better way to tell what your porosity level is? Also, my hair is strawberry blondish... used to be very red but I think years of abuse have faded and dulled it any tips from a fellow redhead? Does hair color make any difference (not trying to stir the pot here ... I'm genuinely not sure lol)

Oh, and natural reds tend to run coarse from what I've read, but there are many fine haired redheads out there. Hair color and thickness trends don't always work. Fine, blonde hair is stereotypical, yet there are coarse haired blondes, too.

The redheads in my family have what my sister calls 'boy hair'. Coarse strand that don't feel silky. I can hear my hair when I rub it. It's crinkly.

Hi tr3kkie9rl - hair color is not really an indicator of porosity, but hair that is dameged (through coloring, heat, etc.) is usually higher porosity. The easiest way to know your porosity is probably to get the hair analysis through the live curly live free site. However, if you don't want to spend the $$, there are some things you can check at home. First, hold a single strand of hair by the end, and then run your thumb and first finger of your other hand up the strand to the root. If the hair feels smooth and slippery, that's an indicator of low porosity. If it feels mostly smooth with some bumps, it's likely normal porosity. If your fingers feel like they keep "catching" on your hair, or it feels very rough, that's an indicator of high porosity. Another indicator of porosity is how well your hair aborbs products and how fast it dries. If you have low porosity hair, it takes longer to get wet/absorb moisture and longer to dry (I've seen posts from low porosity curlies stating it can take 8-9 hours for their hair to air dry), and often times people will complain of products "sitting" on top of their hair. High porosity hair aborbs products and moisture quickly, and will also dry out quickly.

HTH!

2c/3a, botticelli/wavy/'swavy (huh?)

fine, dense, normal porosity/elasticity, dry climate

My favorite brands are Kinky Curly, As I am, Curly Kinks, Curl Junkie, and Darcy's Botanicals. Also love sealing with oils (loving argan oil right now) and styling with jelly products (KCCC is my current favorite). Mostly trying to keep it simple!

Hi Nvmbrcurlss - you might be my hair twin (if only my curls were that tight, sigh) I was just wondering if the As I Am no-poo you use is the coconut co-wash, and how you like it since your hair is fine? I'm interested in trying it and wondering if it does a good job of cleansing (my hair gets easily weighed down on top at the roots if I just straight conditioner wash, so I usually prefer cleansing conditioners like CJDF). TIA!

2c/3a, botticelli/wavy/'swavy (huh?)

fine, dense, normal porosity/elasticity, dry climate

My favorite brands are Kinky Curly, As I am, Curly Kinks, Curl Junkie, and Darcy's Botanicals. Also love sealing with oils (loving argan oil right now) and styling with jelly products (KCCC is my current favorite). Mostly trying to keep it simple!